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102623 GMP Joint Meeting Growth Management Plan Public Hearing October 26, 2023 The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in a special public meeting, along with the Randolph County Planning Board, at 6:00 p.m. in the 1909 Randolph County Historic Courthouse Meeting Room, 145 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC. Chairman Darrell Frye, Vice-Chairman David Allen, Commissioner Kenny Kidd, Commissioner Maxton McDowell, and Commissioner Hope Haywood were present. Also present were County Manager Hal Johnson, Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer Will Massie, Assistant County Manager William Johnson, County Attorney Ben Morgan, Clerk to the Board Dana Crisco, and Deputy Clerk to the Board Jenny Parks. The meeting was live streamed on YouTube. Chairman Frye called the meeting order for the Randolph County Board of Commissioners and welcomed everyone attending. Planning Director Tonya Caddle explained the process thus far regarding the Growth Management Plan. This plan concentrates on the Northeast part of Randolph County and includes items for the rest of the county. This will be incorporated and create a comprehensive plan for the entire county. Jesse Day from the Piedmont Triad Regional Council presented a PowerPoint presentation with the changes and additions to the Randolph County Growth Management Plan. José Colón from the Piedmont Triad Regional Council gave a summary of what this plan is and what it will be used for. This plan is designed to be a policy framework that guides land-use decisions and community improvements. It also is a long-range plan and can be modified to address future opportunities, needs, and challenges facing the community. Mr. Colón thanked the Steering Committee for their time and commitment to the development of this plan, as well as the publics input. Vice-One purpose of this update to the Randolph County Growth Management Plan is to encourage uses such as agricultural and industrial uses which are compatible in the Enhanced Area and to discourage residential and public gathering areas, including hotels and lodging, as incompatible in the Enhanced Area. and is not sure this statement should be part of this plan. He said typic. He feels that there does not need to be any discouragement of residential and public gathering areas, due to water being run to the Megasite. Commissioner Haywood questioned, on page 11, the median home value. She asked if this was written before the revaluation of property in Randolph County. Mr. Day stated this information came from the 2020 Census data and did not reflect the numbers of the revaluation. Vice-- Critical Areas was required. Mr. Colón said this was a definition of what this item was for public information. 10/26/23 is referring to undeveloped land. Mr. Day stated this is a program some areas use that would be set up to purchase development rights to preserve property. He said this process requires a funding source, such as the Farmland Preservation Program. Commissioner Haywood said she feels like Randolph County is ahead of the game in the section on transportation and recreation. She said protecting scenic corridors is valuable as well. Chairman Frye thanked Mr. Day and Mr. Colón for their presentations. He also thanked everyone who has been involved in this process. Commissioner Haywood pointed out, on page 51, one of the suggestions regarding infrastructure was creating a water and sewer resources authority and advisory board. She stated with the addition of the position of County Infrastructure Coordinator, will be extremely valuable. Chairman Frye opened the Public Hearing on behalf of the Board of Commissioners and closed it after everyone who wished to speak had done so. Ben Morgan, Country Attorney, read the rules for the Public Comment Period. Karen Scotton, 548 W. Railroad Street, S1, Staley, stated she was the Mayor of Staley and she was on the steering committee for this plan. She is speaking on behalf of her Town Board and the Staley community members. She feels the areas surrounding the Town of Staley should represent Growth Management Plan. She would like the areas surrounding the Town of Staley be designated as rural growth areas and she is requesting the Hwy. 64 corridor be designated a secondary growth area. as well as the area between Scotton Road and Hwy. 49, Wright Country Road, and Hwy. 64 be designated rural growth areas. She would also like to see the Hwy 49 corridor be designated secondary growth. Doug Nixon, 668 South Main Street, Staley, NC, said he was a lifetime resident of Staley. He was concerned with conversations in his community about a rock quarry coming to Staley. He felt the quarry would traffic concerns. Several members of the Staley Community came together and formed the committee, Save Our Staley, LLC, due to the concerns of the rock quarry. This group has the citizens of Staley in its best interest. Mr. Nixon said that as industry comes in, it will push agriculture out and he is concerned about this. Sybil Burgess Murray, 9833 Hwy. 64 East, Ramseur, NC, said she agrees with Section 6.6 of the Growth Management Plan that talks about scenic corridors. She would like to see the Hwy. 64 corridor remain as secondary growth. She said she welcomes new homes that will be coming into the area, but she does not want an industrial corridor. 10/26/23 Candi Langley, 2454 Nc Hwy. 49 N, Ramseur, NC, stated she was attending on behalf of the property owners of the Marley House in Staley. This house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and she provided and read a letter from the property owners and copies of photos to the Board. Beverly Mooney, 566 Parks Crossroad Church Road, Ramseur, NC, stated she and her husband own Millstone Creek Orchards. She explained why it is important to her for the land surrounding her property to remain zoned as secondary growth. She gave a summary of what they do at Millstone Creek Orchards, which includes feeding and educating the public. Charles Isom, 1016 Sagewood Lane, Archdale, NC, stated he owns property off of Hwy. 64 near Chatham County and leases it for farming. He moved from Guilford County to Randolph County in 2004. He would like to see the area remain secondary growth. Maggie Dunn, 352 West Franklinville Street, Staley, NC, said she has been a resident of Staley for the past 35 years. She is concerned about the agricultural land in this area, especially the land on Scotton Road. She would like to see this land remain secondary growth. Debbie Highland, 6865 Brooksdale Road, Staley, NC, stated the African American community there and she would like to see this historical value preserved. Erik Christenbury, 7244 Old Staley Road, Staley, NC, said he has lived in Staley for the past 23 years. He said he has attended 99% of the Growth Management Meetings. He stated he had who they are being pressured from because it is not the landowners. He feels the Commissioners are applying pressure on the landowners to sell. He would like to see the County have more restrictions on the construction of homes and industries in Randolph County. He does not want to see Randolph County turned into a large city like Greensboro, Apex or Cary. David Fogleman, 1316 Browns Crossroads Road, Staley, NC, stated that agriculture has more added benefits for the county and state, but once these benefits are lost to development, they are almost impossible to regain. He gave examples of wildlife that habitats the land he owns. He said these animals are a benefit to the citizens of Staley, Randolph County, and North Carolina by keeping the ecosystem in balance for a cleaner environment and maintaining the raw beauty of the land. He stated he understands the County would like to see more jobs brought into Randolph County but feels the agriculture jobs have been overlooked. He urged the Board to respect the voice of the people and preserve their community of Staley. Sue Scotton, 1839 Browns Crossroads Road, Staley, NC, said she has lived in Staley all of her life. She stated she is concerned about the safety of slow-moving vehicles used by citizens in Randolph County and those who are not educated on these vehicles. She stated she was also concerned about those using slow-moving vehicles and their choice of using hand signals to turn or stop and how most people are not familiar with hand signals. She said any encounter with a farm vehicle on a public road is potentially dangerous. 10/26/23 Travis Pugh, 6422 Gold Field Road, Liberty, NC, said he owns a farm in the heart of Northeastern Randolph County. He said he is scared that these committees and this Board are being driven by money. Mr. Pugh said he is a fourth-generation farmer, and he has his fifth generation working alongside him currently and he would like to see this lifestyle continue for his family. He stated agriculture is the backbone of North Carolina. He stated he does not feel like he is being heard by the Board. He said he understands that the Toyota plant will bring growth to Randolph County, but he asked what happens if Toyota does not make it. Kim Lackey, 2334 Shady Grove Church Road, Staley, NC, said she and her family are blessed to live in Staley. She stated the preservation of agricultural land is imperative, especially in the Northeastern Randolph County. She encouraged the Board to read the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Creed and stated she was concerned with the future of agricultural land in Randolph County. She would like for the Board to consider the future of agricultural lands in Randolph County while voting on the Growth Management Plan. Amelia Lackey, 2334 Shady Grove Church Road, Staley, NC, stated she was a member of the Providence Grove FFA and she said agricultural land is important for education. She said the decisions the Board makes now will not only affect her education but future generations as well. Emily Scotton, PO Box 626, Ramseur, NC, said she is a teacher in Randolph County Schools and is a citizen of Staley. She is concerned about there not being anything regarding the school system in the comprehensive Growth Management Plan. She stated that currently the schools are understaffed and need teachers and bus drivers. She said if growth continues, there will need to be a plan to fill these jobs. She feels the Hwy. 64 corridor should be designated a secondary growth area and remain a gateway focal point into Randolph County. T should be designated a rural growth area as well as the area between Scotton Road and Hwy. 49., Wright Country Road, and Hwy. 64. She feels Hwy. 49 corridor should also be designated as secondary growth. She said she would like to see Staley and the surrounding community remain rural. Melda Dyer, PO Box 626, Ramseur, NC, said that enough is too much already. She enjoys living in Staley and she appreciates the peace, beauty and quietness in her area. She said a prayer. Gwendolyn McIntosh, 7217 Margaret Chapel Road, Staley, NC, said she loves Staley and she has everything she needs including a post office and a restaurant. Chairman Frye thanked everyone who spoke in the Public Hearing. Jesse Day stated the Growth Management Plan is just a guide and does not change zoning designation. This is not a zoning document. Chairman Frye asked if the Town of Staley has their own zoning. Karen Scotton said they do so within their town limits. 10/26/23 Chairman Frye stated the Planning Board has voted to adopt the Randolph County Growth Management Plan and it is being presented to the County Commissioners for approval or denial. Commissioner Kidd said he agreed with Vice-Chairman Allen on the wording changes needed on page 2 paragraph 3. Commissioner Kidd stated he cannot help but think there is a human part to this plan and those are the people of Randolph County. He thanked the citizens of Staley for coming to the meeting, voicing their opinions on the plan, and wanting the land of Staley and surrounding communities to remain rural. He said these areas should remain rural growth within this plan. Commissioner Haywood said within this plan there is a list of ways land can be protected. She said that as she sits on the Board she has to remember that the decisions she makes must be made with the entire County in mind. She stated that several of the municipalities in this area have water issues and the money the State has provided is intended to help these municipalities with them. Vice-Chairman Allen recited the FFA Creed. He stated he understands where the citizens that spoke tonight are coming from. He is living their nightmare with his property being close to the Megasite. He has well-water and air pollution concerns and hears noise all night and in the mornings, he gets blasting notices. He said he admires the Save Our Staley committee; however, the Board must look at the tax base for Randolph County. Several counties down east are struggling to provide services because of their tax base; they have no industry, growth area. He stated this plan does not have zoning rules, this is only a guide for the Northeastern part of Randolph County. Vice-Chairman Allen would like to amend the following verbiage on page two of the final draft of the North East GMP Plan as follows: (that area within a one-mile radius of the site as illustrated on the map on page 9) due to, among other things, the heavy truck volume and 24/7 manufacturing, logistics and construction which takes place at the Megasite and within the Enhanced Area. One purpose of this update to the Randolph County Growth Management Plan is to encourage uses such as agricultural and industrial uses which are compatible in the Enhanced Area and to discourage residential and public gathering areas, including hotels and lodging, as incompatible in the Enhanced Area. The Master Agreement sets forth processes and procedures for evaluating requests for development within the Enhanced Area. The availability of Federal/State Recovery Funds, and special funding provided by the North Carolina General Assembly, strengthens the future water/sewer infrastructure development. On motion by Allen, seconded by Kidd, to strike the above verbiage and adopt the Randolph County Northeast Growth Management Plan, which is included in the Board of Commissioners agenda, submitted during the Randolph County Growth Management Plan presentation, be adopted as amended. Commission Kidd wished to add additional changes to the North East GMP so this motion died. 10/26/23 On motion of Kidd, seconded by McDowell, the Board voted 4-1, with Haywood voting no, to adopt the Randolph County Northeast Growth Management Plan, which is included in the Board of Commissioners agenda, submitted during the Randolph County Growth Management Plan presentation, be adopted as amended, as follows that the above verbiage be removed from the North East GMP and the land from the corner of the Chatham County border west to Hwy. 49, from 421 South to Hwy. 64 be changed from secondary growth area to all rural growth areas, except for the municipality of Staley and the Highway corridors. A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2023 NORTHEAST RANDOLPH COUNTY GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN WHEREAS, major economic, social, and land use changes are occurring in Randolph County; and WHEREAS, the continued maintenance of sustainable residential and economic development expansion is considered necessary for the quality of life and general welfare of Randolph County citizens; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RANDOLPH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS: It is the intent of the Board of County Commissioners by establishing this Northeast Growth Management Plan to: 1. Recognize that sustainable economic growth, environmental protection, and the rural quality of life can be pursued together as mutually supporting public policy goals; 2. Recognize that growth management policies should afford flexibility to County boards and agencies; that will enable them to adapt to the practical requirements often necessary for rural development; 3. Ensure the opportunity for landowners to achieve the highest and best uses of their land that are consistent with growth management policies in order to protect 4. Consider the costs as well as the benefits of growth management policies in order to preserve affordability for citizens real estate and housing needs; and 5. Recognize and respect constitutionally protected private property rights in the interpretation of all policies and to achieve community goals such as open space preservation through incentives to landowners in voluntary programs that recognize consumer demand. 6. Encourage decisions for development to complement planned infrastructure improvement projects. 7. Allow for flexibility in design of developments of all types of uses to avoid conflicting uses through setbacks and increased landscape buffering to protect the residents of the County. 8. Understand that the Growth Management plan is required by North Carolina to enact and enforce zoning and it is a strategic tool for local governments to shape their future as one tool for Boards to use when making decisions. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, to implement this Growth Management Plan, Randolph County staff and related Boards, should use the policies established as guidelines in evaluating rezoning and growth-related issues. The evaluation criteria should also be used to assist citizens in making decisions that are consistent with Randolph County growth management policies. 10/26/23 On motion by McDowell, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. ________________________________ ________________________________ Darrell Frye, Chairman David Allen ________________________________ _________________________________ Kenny Kidd Maxton McDowell ________________________________ _________________________________ Hope Haywood Dana Crisco, Clerk to the Board 10/26/23